Some of the most common places where slip and fall accidents occur can be found all over Chicago. As a city of over two million people with hundreds of thousands of properties, liability concerns are around every corner. A slip and fall accident can cause serious injuries that affect your physical, emotional, and financial health.
If you are injured on someone else’s property in Chicago, the property owner could be held liable if negligence was involved. Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers is the top law firm in the Windy City for slip and fall accidents and can increase your chances of securing compensation. Hiring legal representation after your incident is essential to navigate the claims process successfully.
A slip and fall accident could happen anywhere. You could get hurt on a sidewalk, in a grocery store, in a friend’s home, or at a public event. Let’s examine some of the most common places where slip and fall accidents occur in Chicago.
Amusement parks are filled with potential hazards. There is usually high foot traffic through these areas because of large crowds, and spilled food and drink are common sights. If you are in a place like the Pirates’ Cove Children’s Theme Park, you could suffer from a slip and fall because of wet walking surfaces or debris.
Large shopping centers and retail stores are also common sites for slip and fall accidents. Many of these incidents occur on elevators and escalators. The Shops at North Bridge is a great example of a busy mall with numerous fall hazards at any given moment.
Bad falls in grocery stores can turn lives upside down. For example, if someone spills a gallon of milk on the floor at Mariano’s and the staff fails to put up “wet floor” signs in a timely manner due to rushed operations, the business or property owner could be liable for injuries to a customer resulting from a slip and fall.
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in America for a reason. The number of common hazards on a construction site is astounding, so contractors and property owners must take precautions seriously. If there are inadequate safety procedures, workers and passersby are more likely to be seriously injured in a slip and fall accident.
In a city as populous as Chicago, there are hundreds of apartment complex buildings. Many of these buildings are old, making them more dangerous due to deferred maintenance and decay. Other hazardous conditions that could cause falls in apartment buildings include decks, unfinished basements, poor lighting, and stairways.
The city of Chicago can be liable for slip and fall accidents that occur on government property or sidewalks. Slippery or uneven pavement in inclement weather or broken sidewalks cause many injuries every year, and the city is responsible for maintaining safe conditions. Whether you get hurt while walking around Lincoln Park or visiting City Hall, the government is supposed to maintain safe premises.
Various entities own parking lots and garages throughout the city of Chicago. Whether it is a business, individual, or government entity that owns the parking area, it is responsible for maintaining safety. Slippery surfaces or fall dangers are the owner’s responsibility, so if someone gets hurt, that entity could be liable for paying legal damages.
Healthcare facilities play an important role in Chicago. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and other medical facilities provide care for people, but they can also pose risks. For example, a patient staying at Rush University Medical Center could trip due to uneven surfaces in the hospital room, causing serious injuries.
Chicago residents love their local sports franchises, but attending games or events at sporting facilities always comes with risks. Broken railings in the stadium could cause a fan to fall down the steps while trying to find their seat at a Bulls game at the United Center. Spills in the concourse at Wrigley Field could also lead to slip and fall accidents.
The hospitality and entertainment industries in Chicago are robust. Restaurants, food service businesses, hotels, casinos, resorts, theaters, and entertainment venues provide people with various ways to enjoy the city.
However, fall hazards are prevalent in these locations, including floor debris and a lack of signage for restricted areas. If there is no warning sign to prevent customers from entering a maintenance area at Eaglewood Resort and Spa, a customer could get injured.
The Chicago skyline is comprised of numerous commercial buildings and office spaces, such as the Willis Tower and the Franklin Center. Accidents occur on these properties frequently, often due to poor lighting, unsafe stairways, and unclean floors.
For the hundreds of thousands of residents who operate personal vehicles, as well as public transit employees, gas stations are always busy in the Windy City. Unfortunately, gasoline spills or messy convenience stores can cause a dangerous slip and fall accident that results in severe injuries.
When you think of swimming pools, the image of a lifeguard shouting “no running” likely pops into your head. Visiting Holstein Park Public Pool may be hazardous due to the fall risks associated with wet concrete.
Property owners are not always liable for slip and fall accidents that occur on their properties. Still, the visitor’s status is relevant to slip and fall cases. Under state law 740 ILCS 130/2, there is no longer a distinction between licensees and invitees, as both are owed a reasonable level of care by the property owner to prevent injuries.
A licensee is an individual who is permitted to be on a property for their own benefit, with the owner’s consent. An invitee is a person the owner has specifically invited onto the premises, such as a friend or customer. A trespasser is someone who enters property without permission or a legal right. Your personal injury attorney will help you determine which category is relevant to your slip and fall claim.
Whether you are entering retail environments, private homes, or government buildings, you can take steps to prevent a slip and fall accident. The owner of the property is supposed to maintain safe premises, but you are also responsible for your own safety.
Wear appropriate footwear for the location you are in. Pay attention to obvious dangers and hazards because owners are typically not liable for injuries caused by an obvious hazardous condition. Use handrails when appropriate to prevent falls on stairways and walkways. Lastly, report hazards to the property owner so they can take action to address the issue.
A property owner could be liable for a slip and fall accident if negligence is involved. Proving negligence can be challenging for hurt victims because they need evidence of these four elements:
You need evidence to establish negligence for a slip and fall claim. Some examples of evidence that could prove the existence of fall risks and ensuing damages include witness statements, surveillance footage, records of medical attention sought, photos, and expert testimony.
Evidence is crucial if you want to recover compensation for legal damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, future medical expenses, or emotional distress.
The location of your incident affects who is responsible for the property. Properties may be residential, commercial, or government-related. This will affect the claims process when you must determine liability for the serious injuries you suffered.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, personal injury victims have two years to file their claims and seek monetary compensation. If you wait any longer, your chances of winning a lawsuit are drastically reduced.
The Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers are a top-rated law firm in Chicago with decades of experience. Our team holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, demonstrating our proven track record of success. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today to request a free consultation.